It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

The conference announced on its website Sunday afternoon that the Aggies will join as official members beginning July 1, 2012, and will compete in all sports for the 2012-2013 academic year.

"The Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors are pleased to welcome Texas A&M University to the SEC family," Florida president Dr. Bernie Machen said in a statement. "The addition of Texas A&M University as the SEC’s 13th member gives our league a prestigious academic institution with a strong athletic tradition and a culture similar to our current institutions."

On behalf of our presidents, chancellors, athletics directors, students and fans, I welcome Texas A&M University to the SEC family," commissioner Mike Slive said. "Texas A&M is a nationally-prominent institution on and off the field and a great fit for the SEC tradition of excellence—athletically, academically and culturally."

Aggie president R. Bowen Loftin repeated his oft-stated claim that the Aggies' bolt from the Big 12 to the SEC was a "100-year decision" the school "addressed carefully and methodically, and I believe the Southeastern Conference gives the Aggies the best situation of any conference in the country."

With the announcement, the SEC officially puts behind it the legal questions that had dogged A&M since it announced its plan to join the league and the possibility those questions would keep the school out of the league until the 2013 football season. The recent commitment of Oklahoma to keep the Big 12 together likely played a substantial role in Baylor withdrawing its legal objections.

The SEC is expected to play the 2012 season with 13 football teams. A schedule has yet to be announced--but the Aggies now know for certain they'll be one of the teams included.

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Ideal software. We will transpire once again yet again instantly to examine a ex tra.

Since: Oct 7, 2011

Posted on: October 18, 2011 10:14 am

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Since: Sep 26, 2011

Posted on: September 26, 2011 8:47 am

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to the great coverage. As a long time patron of ESPN, I finally had enough of their BS lately on their EXTREMELY biased coverage of the Aggies move from the Big 12. I (like many Aggies) have switched our bookmarks to CBS, and are looking forward to some fair coverage.
Thanks!

Since: Aug 7, 2009

Posted on: September 26, 2011 1:44 am

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Is anyone else hearing the rumor that Cincinnati, Louisville and BYU have invitations to the Big 12?

Since: Jan 5, 2008

Posted on: September 26, 2011 12:27 am

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Not sure which conference just got stronger. Both academically and athletically, I'm leaning towards the Big 12, especially if TCU is selected as one of the lucky teams to help expand the league.

Since: Aug 22, 2010

Posted on: September 25, 2011 7:48 pm

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Texas A&M will bring even more excitement to the SEC, the best college football conference!

Since: Nov 2, 2006

Posted on: September 25, 2011 6:31 pm

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

14 anyone? Missouri? West Virginia? Maybe take a stab at Oklahoma if they are willing to come without Oklahoma State (or go big and take OU, Ok State, and Mizzou)?

Since: Sep 6, 2011

Posted on: September 25, 2011 5:40 pm

It's official: Texas A&M to join SEC July 1, 2012

Thank you lord. Take those aggies of to there demise. I sincerly cannot wait till next year watching those tools get beat down SEC style. I predict a big welcoming from the SEC west, to the tune of a 6-6 season. Losses to alabama, arkansas, auburn, lsu, mississippi state, and anothe rthrown in there from florida, south carolina, or tennessee, Way to go a&m. You just proved every joke told a bout you was very well founded.

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